New Caledonia September 2012: Ford Ranger catches on

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on the title! Many thanks to Stéphane *

Thanks to Stéphane, this month I can share with you more detail on new car sales in New Caledonia, a French overseas territory located North-East of Australia. The New Caledonian new car market is down 10% year-on-year in September at 795 sales, bringing the year-to-date total to 8,420 units, down 6% on 2011. Now that the new generation is available in dealerships across the island, the Ford Ranger, leader from 2009 to 2011 but dominated by the Dacia Duster so far in 2012, catches on. It sells 99 units in September for an out-of-this-world 12.5% market share, adding up to 371 sales and 4.4% year-to-date vs. 386 and 4.6% for the Duster.

Great Wall Voleex C30

The Toyota Hilux ranks third year-to-date at 346 units and 4.1%, ahead of the Renault Clio with 304 sales and 3.6%, the Kia Sportage at 225 units and 2.7% and the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 206+ both at 222 sales and 2.6%. While no Chinese manufacturer exports to mainland France yet, there are no less than 9 Chinese models in the New Caledonian Top 100 this year: the Great Wall Wingle at #13, Dongfeng Utah at #16, Great Wall Hover H5 at #31, Great Wall Florid at #41, JMC Pick-up at #57, Chery Tiggo at #66, BYD F0 at #77, ZX Auto Grand Tiger at #95 and Great Wall Voleex C30 at #99.

Ssangyong Korando

In September, the podium in 100% pick-up with the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara dominating the ranking. The Citroen C4 is up to #9 vs. #47 year-to-date, the Nissan Juke up to #15 vs. #24, the Hyundai i10 up to #16 vs. #27, the Ssangyong Korando up to #22 vs. #56 and the Chevrolet Colorado up to #25 vs. #51. Finally, notice the Ford F150 Raptor at #87 ytd and the Dacia Lodgy selling its first 3 New Caledonian units in September.